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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Western Isles - June 2026

Nine-day escorted Scottish rail tour from London through Hebrides islands

Illustration of The Western Isles - June 2026

The Railway Touring Company's 9-day Western Isles tour combines some of Britain's most celebrated train journeys with exploration of remote Scottish islands and coastlines. Departing London King's Cross in First Class on the Highland Chieftain, you travel through the Highlands to Loch Lomond, then continue north by rail and coach to Fort William. Day 3 features the Jacobite steam train, a legendary journey that crosses the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct on its way to Mallaig, where you board a ferry to Skye. The next two days are spent in the Outer Hebrides: Lewis and Harris include a guided tour of standing stones, lighthouses, and ancient brochs. Days 6 and 7 take you to the far north coast at Durness, an area of isolated beaches and seals, and Day 8 visits Dunrobin Castle with a falconry display before the train ride to Inverness. The final day returns you to London on the Highland Chieftain. A Tour Manager is with you throughout, and accommodation is in 3-star hotels on a half-board basis.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: June 2026 at GBP 2,545 per person. Confirm availability and whether additional dates will be announced.
  • Standard Class rail travel is used on two segments (Arrochar to Fort William and Golspie to Inverness) where First Class is not provided by the operator.
  • Days 6 and 7 involve ferry crossings and long coach journeys; the Outer Hebrides legs require tolerance for variable weather and marine conditions.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Loch Lomond

    'Highland Chieftain' to Scotland

    First Class from London King's Cross along the East Coast Main Line via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh to Stirling, with a light lunch served at your seat, then coach to The Lodge on Loch Lomond for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond; North to Fort William

    Coach to Tarbet for a private cruise on Loch Lomond with lunch on board, then train from Arrochar and Tarbet north across Rannoch Moor to Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis on Loch Linnhe.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    'The Jacobite' and over the sea to Skye

    A trip on 'The Jacobite' steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time in Mallaig before the ferry to Armadale on Skye and a coach transfer to Portree.

  4. Day 4overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

    Coach tour of Skye; Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides

    A coach tour of Skye across Trotternish to Uig, then a ferry crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris and on to Stornoway, the capital of Lewis and Harris.

  5. Day 5overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

    Guided tour of The Isle of Lewis

    A guided coach tour of Lewis, including the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse, Carloway Broch, Lewis Bridge and the Callanish Standing Stones, with lunch during the tour.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lochinver

    Free time in Stornoway; Ferry to Ullapool; North to Lochinver

    Free time in Stornoway, then a ferry across 'The Minch' to Ullapool and a coach north to Lochinver, staying at the Inverlodge Hotel overlooking the bay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lochinver

    By road to the North West Scottish Highlands

    A day trip by coach through the North West Highlands via Scourie to Durness on the far north coast, an area of unspoilt beaches, seals, porpoises and minke whales, with lunch at a local restaurant.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Inverness

    Dunrobin Castle and Inverness

    A coach east via Lairg and Golspie to Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, including a falconry display, then a train from Golspie Station to Inverness.

  9. Day 9

    The 'Highland Chieftain' to London

    First Class from Inverness through the Highlands to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King's Cross, with a light lunch served on board.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Private cruise on Loch Lomond with lunch on board, then train across Rannoch Moor beneath Ben Nevis
  • Day 3Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, followed by ferry to Armadale on Skye
  • Day 5Guided coach tour of Lewis including the Butt of Lewis cliffs, Carloway Broch, and Callanish Standing Stones
  • Day 7Coach journey through the North West Highlands to Durness on the far north coast, an area of unspoilt beaches and wildlife including seals and minke whales
  • Day 8Visit to Dunrobin Castle with falconry display, then train from Golspie Station to Inverness

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Stirling and Inverness to London with at-seat dining
  • 8 nights half board accommodation in 3-star hotels
  • 5 Lunches
  • All visits, train, boat and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • First Class rail travel on 'The Jacobite' from Fort William to Mallaig
  • Standard Class rail travel between Arrochar and Fort William and Golspie and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains)
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail travel from London King's Cross to Stirling and from Inverness back to London on the Highland Chieftain, First Class on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, and Standard Class rail travel on ScotRail services between Arrochar and Fort William and between Golspie and Inverness.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the 9 days.
What is included in the price?
The price of GBP 2,545 covers First Class rail travel from London, 8 nights half-board accommodation in 3-star hotels, 5 lunches, all visits, train, boat and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary, plus the services of a Tour Manager.
Where do we stay?
Accommodations are in 3-star hotels: The Lodge on Loch Lomond (1 night), Fort William (1 night), Portree on Skye (1 night), Stornoway on Lewis (2 nights), the Inverlodge Hotel in Lochinver (2 nights), and Inverness (1 night).
When does it depart?
One departure is scheduled for June 2026 at GBP 2,545 per person.
What is the walking and activity level?
The tour involves coach tours, walking in towns and on islands, ferry transfers, and climbing to view landmarks such as the Callanish Standing Stones and Butt of Lewis cliffs. Physical fitness for moderate activity is expected.

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